Making a Smart Start with your Lawyer in a Divorce – Part 1

Making a Smart Start with your Lawyer in a Divorce – Part 1

When you’re going through a divorce, the number one step you need to take is hiring a lawyer to handle your case and help guide you through the process. The team of highly qualified and dedicated attorneys at Woods & Matlock are here to assist you from start to finish. In this two part guide, we’ll help you start off with the process of separating from your spouse. In our second follow-up post, we’ll talk about the child custody portion of the case.

Here’s how to get your divorce off to a good start with the help of an attorney for child custody in Plano, TX.

Schedule your first consultation. You need to meet with a lawyer right away when you are divorcing or seeking to change child custody arrangements? Why? There are three main reasons:

You need to find a lawyer you can trust. Meeting a lawyer is your time to see if their strategy aligns with your approach to the divorce. You might want an aggressive litigator or prefer a lawyer who specializes in collaborative law. Communication styles and methods are important as well as the expected costs involved with your prospective attorney.The sooner you meet, the faster you’ll know if this lawyer is right for you.

You need to start your case right away to avoid giving your spouse the upper hand when it comes to strategy. Waiting around while your spouse gets organized isn’t going to help protect you, your children, and your share of the assets.

Getting a lawyer will alleviate a lot of your stress around the situation. Divorces bring out our emotions. It can be hard to think rationally under the stress and emotional roller coaster of a divorce. Having a lawyer on your side from the start will help clear up your questions and stresses around the process and give you specific tasks to begin.

Inventory all joint assets. Your next move is to start a spreadsheet of all the items you purchased or were given as gifts during your marriage as a couple. Here are some of the main items:

Shared debts

Investments

Joint bank accounts

Wedding gifts to both of you. Note: Money given to just one of you can get tricky. If it was used in the down payment on your home, you may or may not be entitled to calling it something to split. This is why an attorney’s advice is helpful.

Properties

Household items including furniture, kitchen appliances, beds, etc. You’ll need to start thinking about which items you absolutely can’t part with and what sounds fair in negotiating. Your attorney will help you with these decisions as part of your strategy in the case. Get the help you need from our firm. Woods & Matlock have your attorney for child custody in Plano, TX. Get the assistance you need from someone ready to help you through the process of a divorce or child custody dispute. Call us at 972-972-8820 to schedule your brief free phone consultation and get started.